Trib Talk: Joseph Smith's place in U.S. history

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

In "American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church," author Alex Beam retraces the rise and fall of the charismatic and controversial founder of the LDS Church. Smith's violent end, he says, galvanized his followers, spurred the settlement of the American West and launched an international Christian movement.

On Tuesday at 12:15 p.m., Beam joins Jennifer Napier-Pearce to discuss Smith's life and legacy for both Mormon faithful and the nation.

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